As the Halo of the Supreme Ruler roared, countless black papers scattered from the sky.
A black game text wasn't unusual. Abusing Host Master Authority could turn someone into a Demon Lord.
Once a Demon Lord used their authority, they could forcibly drag others into their Gift Game without consent. In Little Garden, especially at the Four-Digit level, who hadn't encountered a few ordinary Demon Lords?
What was truly strange was a blank game text.
All Gift Games had texts outlining the game's content and victory conditions. Some might have unclear conditions, but those were usually hidden with minor tricks, where the concealment itself was part of the game.
However, only the Gift Games of the Last Trial of Mankind truly had no game text.
The Last Trial was a test for the entire great world, for all of Little Garden. Everything in the existing world was part of the game. All living beings in that world were participants.
If a Demon Lord forcibly pulled others into their Gift Game by abusing Host Master Authority, the Last Trial of Mankind dragged the entire world into its Gift Game.
As the blank black papers fell, the atmosphere in the entire game arena froze for a moment.
"Oh, this is bad. Things just got really serious." Merlin said with a chuckle.
Though she had no way to overcome Absolute Evil, as everyone knew, if the sky fell, there were taller beings to hold it up. Clearly, in this game, she wasn't one of the tall ones. She was probably the shortest here—in height, ability, and fame. She was just a minor wizard.
"You two great heroes, Absolute Evil is free. Think of something quick!" Merlin said respectfully to Heracles and Thor.
As for Aslan, he paused his actions. He simply used his virus to heal Kalki's wounds, collected some data on his Spirit Status, and curiously picked up Mjölnir, the Thunder God's hammer, which had just been melted by the supreme heat gift, Halo of the Supreme Ruler.
"The material of this thing is sturdy—there's still some left after taking a hit from the Halo of the Supreme Ruler."
Then, without shame, Aslan pocketed the remnants, which weighed only a few ounces.
Unlike the relaxed Aslan, Heracles and Thor had serious expressions.
No one knew better than they what the Last Trial of Mankind represented. It was a Demon Lord even Pantheons couldn't oppose. When Canaria and the others faced Azi Dahaka back then, not only were there many Four-Digit heroes, but even several Kings of Gods had descended as humans.
Now, even counting those who came for the Leo Sun Authority, their numbers were half that of the Arcadia Great Alliance when it faced Absolute Evil, at best.
What was more despairing was the absence of a sage like Canaria. Combat strength might be easy to gather, but heroes with matching leadership and the ability to rally others were rare. If the Four-Digit individuals here didn't unite, they'd surely lose.
And now? Heracles and Thor only smiled silently.
It was clear to the naked eye that many people immediately retreated. After all, Four-Digit Kings of Gods who descended as humans and gods who struggled to grow into Four-Digits weren't willing to sacrifice their lives for the Last Trial of Mankind.
Those willing to sacrifice had already been sacrificed by Canaria over two hundred years ago.
Suddenly, eight gods crossed the sea, each displaying their power.
A golden fox silhouette sank into the ground.
A silver moonlight slowly faded.
Even in the ravaged forest, leaves emitted a faint glow.
Some transformed into various fantastical beasts, fleeing like birds and animals.
Except for a few who stayed, no one wanted to remain.
"What is Indra doing? How could he let that three-headed dragon out!" Silent for a long time, Heracles finally couldn't hold back his curses.
The seal shouldn't have been weak. Was it really that easy to break?
He knew well the sacrifices Arcadia made to seal Absolute Evil. What was more painful was that he had no idea how much Absolute Evil had recovered now.
"If you're brave enough, come with me! Let's check the condition of that three-headed dragon. If not, get lost and don't block the way!" Heracles said coldly.
At the same time, he threw the wooden ship in his hand to the ground, transforming it into Argo, which carried many heroes. He waited for brave heroes to step up and stop the three-headed dragon.
"I'm in! When has Thor ever been a coward!" Thor shouted, sitting at the front of Argo without hesitation.
He also drew a war axe that seemed enveloped in countless storms.
"As expected, having the dwarves make another weapon was worth it."
As a Norse Pantheon that viewed Ragnarok as their worldview, Norse gods never feared death. So how could a mere Last Trial of Mankind scare him into retreating?
During the war against Dystopia, the Norse Pantheon was nearly wiped out, yet not a single warrior retreated. They even planned to use Ragnarok to sacrifice all the Main Gods to produce a human hero who could defeat Dystopia.
Though Aslan wasn't sure if this Thor was the Norse Thor, seeing his fearless attitude, it didn't matter if he assumed he was.
Did Thor in Little Garden have a storm axe as his weapon?
Aslan was quite confused.
Regardless of his confusion, Aslan promptly tossed the bewildered Kalki onto Argo and sat down himself.
Merlin and Aishelia, of course, weren't intimidated, which surprised Heracles slightly.
"You guys have some guts, not inferior to the heroes of two hundred years ago."
"Of course. It's just a trivial Last Trial of Mankind. No way we're backing down!" Aslan said with a carefree smile, showing no tension.
In this era, who wasn't a Last Trial of Mankind? But Aslan didn't say that last part. After all, if he did, this team set to defeat Absolute Evil would turn their weapons on him.
"Bold, kid. I'm starting to admire you." Thor said, hearing Aslan's words and unable to resist giving him a thumbs-up.
How long had it been since he'd seen someone so daring? Truly in the Norse style.
Despite his admiration, Thor didn't forget to warn Aslan.
"Just so you know, the Last Trial of Mankind isn't that easy to face."
In their brief conversation, Argo took flight, crossing space toward the fortress where the flag and Azi Dahaka's seal were.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
"Come on, Maxwell, it's time to pick up His Highness."
Lamia wore a black robe and hood. She stared at Maxwell's back, who held an Another Cosmology and Dragon Sun Authorities. At the same time, the shadow beneath her feet seemed alive, writhing like an evil dragon stalking Maxwell, drooling and ready to devour its prey.
Maxwell didn't notice anything amiss. After all, shadow powers were highly concealable. Moreover, this time, Lamia used a power akin to an Authority, integrated by Leticia into her Divinity. With their blood connection, she wielded it seamlessly.
"I know, let's go." Maxwell nodded, storing the Another Cosmology and Sun Authority he was to give to Kalki.
He remained loyal to Ouroboros. After all, his Third Perpetual Motion Machine Spirit Status was gained with their help, as was their support in pursuing Willa in Little Garden.
He was just a paradox demon who should've vanished long ago, with nothing to rely on. Without Ouroboros, he might've died. Let alone becoming a Four-Digit Demon Lord and still chasing Willa.
Yet, for some reason, he felt uneasy, as if someone was watching him.
Was it because of the Another Cosmology and Sun Authority in his possession?
That was possible. After all, even Two-Digit and Three-Digit beings would struggle not to be tempted by such treasures. If not for Ouroboros's mission sending him and Lamia to release Absolute Evil's seal, they wouldn't even have heard of such treasures.
It was normal to be under the scrutiny of higher-ups.
Calming himself, Maxwell only felt more panicked.
Meanwhile, Lamia behind him was growing impatient with Maxwell's dawdling. "If you don't hurry and hand that thing to His Highness, how can I complete my task, meet my mother again, and save her!"
Unlike Maxwell's mission, her superiors gave her a hidden task. After Maxwell opened the seal and went to retrieve Kalki, Lamia was to stab him in the back and give the Third Perpetual Motion Machine Spirit Status to Kalki to help him overcome the Last Trial of Mankind: Absolute Evil. Once the mission was complete, Ouroboros's leaders would lift her mother's curse.
"Sorry, Maxwell, though our cooperation has been pleasant, for my mother's sake, can you hand over your Spirit Status?"
As Lamia's excitement grew, the shadow beneath her feet couldn't hold back, moving. The dragon's remnants looked like a ravenous giant dragon, staring at Maxwell with greed.
And Maxwell, as before, noticed nothing and prepared to teleport…